Live coronavirus updates, March 19 2020: schools prepare to shut

Our live blog will bring you rolling news coverage throughout the day, keeping you informed with breaking news from across Bristol.

Scroll down for the latest updates.

6.01pm
That’s the end of our live blog for today. We will be running another tomorrow morning from 6.30am. Thanks for reading and see you then.

5.45pm
Here’s a roundup of key events from today:

• Bristol mayor Marvin Rees is in self-isolation after developing a cough.
• The number of cases in Bristol has risen to 12.
• Avon and Somerset Constabulary declare a major incident in response to coronavirus.
• More businesses continue to close for the foreseeable future.

5.34pm
Reverend Vivienne Faull records a message for church-goers.

4.11pm
A major incident has been declared in the Bristol area in response to coronavirus. The declaration has been made to make sure all agencies are able to work together more effectively.

Nikki Watson, chair of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum, said: “We are facing an unprecedented public health situation in this country and it’s more important than ever for public sector agencies and partner organisations to work together to deal with the challenges which may lie ahead.

“Declaring this a major incident simply allows us to put in place clear structures and mechanisms for multi-agency working and we’ll be calling on our tried and tested resilience plans to keep the public safe and well informed.

“This has not been initiated because of a significant rise in cases of COVID-19 in our area or because agencies are unable to cope – it’s a preventive measure enabling all agencies and organisations to respond as effectively as they can, even in the face of reduced staffing levels.”

3.04pm
Thekla and Artspace Lifespace have closed for the time being. The Folk House has also ended its spring term early.

Artspace Lifespace have said: “In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, tenants, members and visitors, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel public events until further notice at all our Artspace Lifespace venues.

“We are cancelling public events at Ashton Court Mansion, Lockdown Venue at The Island, SPACE Gallery and The Vestibules with immediate effect until the end of April or as advised when government guidance is issued. We are sorry we are unable to offer you any guarantees as to when we may be able to open publicly again but we will issue updates every two weeks on our website.”

2.06pm
Morph has been following the government’s guidelines:

1.03pm:
Community spirit is alive and well in Bedminster Down.

1.02pm
Bristol Women’s Literature Festival has launched an online hub for this year’s event.

12.03pm
A cafe on Whiteladies Road has become one of the first permanent casualties of the coronavirus crisis.

“We’d like to thank Bristolians for the warm welcome they have given us since we opened in May last year and all our customers who have been a pleasure to meet and serve. said Mary-Janes co-founder Jon Antoniou.

Inside Mary-Jane’s on Whiteladies Road. Photo by Martin Booth

“The high street is going through a challenging time in general but unfortunately, having just about survived a quiet winter with storm after storm battering our city, we are now facing the challenge of not being able to serve customers for an unknown period while the coronavirus threat is in our city.

“This has sadly led to us taking the decision to close our coffee shop in Clifton.”

11.26am
We have put together all the vital information and resources anyone in the city may need: Coronavirus: support and guidance for people in Bristol

10.56am
Wellspring Settlement in Barton Hill is calling out for nappies and baby milk.

10.49am
Quartet Community Foundation has opened applications for a new Coronavirus Response Fund. The grant will “offer local charitable and community organisations emergency funding to support emerging challenges faced within local communities as a result of the continuing threat of Coronavirus”.

10.47am
Kelvin Players, located on Gloucester Road, are closing their club and cancelling their activities until further notice. Their production of Hamlet has been postponed.

9.42am:
The number of cases confirmed in Bristol has risen to 12, according to Public Health England.

9.40am
Bristol Ferry has stopped all travel on their boats. They added: “Bristol Community Ferry Boats Ltd is a not-for-profit, community-owned business. For those who wish to support us at this time, we encourage you to purchase vouchers to redeem at a future date, or to become one of our valued members, all of which can be done via our website.”

https://twitter.com/BristolFerry/status/1240573240784945157

8.46am
The BBC has reported that Bristol mayor Marvin Rees is in isolation after developing a cough.

Marvin Rees earlier this week. Image taken from mayoral video in City Hall

Earlier this week Darren Jones, the Bristol North West MP,  also started self-isolating, and deputy mayor Asher Craig is also doing so after returning from a holiday to Malta.

7am
Good morning and welcome to Thursday’s live blog as we report on all of the latest news about the coronavirus outbreak in Bristol.

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In recent news:

• Schools across England will close “until further notice” from Friday afternoon, education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has told the House of Commons.
• Glastonbury Festival 2020 is cancelled in what would have been the festival’s 50th anniversary.
• Events, including Bristol Walk Fest and Bristol New Music Festival are postponed.
• The organisers of Love Save The Day and Eat Drink Bristol Fashion say it is “looking increasingly unlikely” they will go ahead as planned.
• Bristol’s libraries and museums have all closed until at least May 1 to help maintain critical services and public safety during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Bristol’s pubs, restaurants, arts venues are closing their doors or trying to adapt after Boris Johnson urged people to stay away but did not issue any orders for them to close.

For anyone seeking to offer help and support, Bristol City Council is coordinating volunteering efforts.

Main photo by Martin Booth

Read more: Coronavirus: the battle to get food to people who need it most in Bristol